New to raising chickens have questions

[Sonoma Gal]

Lucky birds! What a beautiful setup you have!

Right?!! We are happy with the results. Hubby and I worked hard to pull this together while they lived in our home in their brooder.

 

[Sonoma Gal]

I agree that it looks like cecal poo, which is perfectly normal. Medicated chick food can be useful if you're worried about coccidiosis but I believe at 12 weeks, you can switch to an All Flock without medication.

Thank you!

 

[Sonoma Gal]

Looks like cecal poop which is perfectly normal. No need to medicate unless you are certain of disease and a sick bird would be presenting more than just odd droppings.

As for medicated feed, I’m on the fence with it myself. I start chicks on it for a few weeks or until the bag runs out, then I use regular chick feed. The medicated feed is only really useful with particularly fragile chicks and if you can’t keep the brooder clean enough. A dry, clean brooder will prevent coccidiosis is most cases.

Makes me stop and wonder why I'm using medicated... Great info, thanks.

 

[Sonoma Gal]

Lucky birds! What a beautiful setup you have!

Ty! That is a big blue hen in your photo!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Ty! That is a big blue hen in your photo!

Thanks! Technically she is lavender but I'll take it!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
It's just a cecal poop. I would put them on an all flock type of feed that offers 18-20% protein and put out a container to a oyster shell on the side for free choice feeding. Then you will never have to change the way you feed them no matter how your flock transitions throughout the years and the months of the year.

Edited to remove retarded statement! Thanks, @BigBlueHen53!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

off lock type of feed

Dobie, are you okay?
I think you meant "all-flock."
This is coming from the Queen of Typos, me, lol!
And secondly I want to say, I'll have what she's having!

 

[sourland]

Good morning, and welcome to BYC. Yep - cecal poop.

 

[muddy75]

 

[Sonoma Gal]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
It's just a cecal poop. I would put them on an off lock type of feed that offers 18-20% protein and put out a container to a oyster shell on the side for free choice feeding. Then you will never have to change the way you feed them no matter how your flock transitions throughout the years and the months of the year.

Thank you!

I've read to transition them off medicated slowly. If I do what ratio of medicated: non medicated would be suggested? What are your thoughts?